Some villages in Ponnagyun flee as junta army starts artillery shelling

Narinjara News, August 31, 2025

As the junta army unleashes its heavy weaponry, thousands of villagers are fleeing from some villages in Rakhine State's Ponnagyun Township.

Locals claim that in recent days, people have been fleeing some communities in Ponnagyun Township, such as Paday Thar Old Village, Paday Thar New Village, and Hngat Gyi Kyun.

"Since the junta force is now unable to battle with AA and is losing many areas, numerous villages in Ponnagyun Township near Sittwe are being shelled by heavy weaponry, not only from the land (ground) but also from the water and air. At the moment, the navy is also firing. We are being compelled to leave due to such assaults. We don’t know where the heavy weapons will land. They are shooting without any fight with AA in our areas," said a local.